Winter Vacation in Estonia: What to Experience in Tallinn

City trips are only for warm days? No way! Travelers who venture on a city trip in winter experience the most beautiful cities in Europe from a whole new perspective. When snow blankets a city or streets are adorned with Christmas decorations, there is a special charm. We'll give you the best tips and activities for Tallinn in winter.

In the heart of Tallinn's Old Town, the Christmas market on the Town Hall Square is considered one of the best in Europe. The square, first mentioned in 1313, is surrounded by historic buildings, the Town Hall to the south, and the famous Town Hall Pharmacy to the northeast.

The Christmas market is filled with delicious aromas. Typical Estonian winter dishes like blood sausage, potatoes, and sauerkraut are served, along with mulled wine known as Glögi in Estonia. A local favorite is Glögi with a shot of the local Vanna Tallin liqueur. The Tallinn Christmas market runs until January 7, 2024.

In the Town Hall Square stands the city's famous Christmas tree, boasting an impressive record. The Tallinn Christmas tree was the world's first public Christmas tree, erected by merchants of the Brotherhood of Blackheads in 1441.

That's why the Christmas tree still plays a significant role, being even selected through a nationwide competition. The tree must originate from Estonia, not exceed 18 meters, and be well-branched, sturdy, and deep green in color. Its arrival at the Town Hall Square is celebrated annually with great fanfare.

Located directly on the Town Hall Square is one of the city's most fascinating buildings: Town Hall Pharmacy of Tallinn was probably established at the beginning of the 15th century. In the chronicles of the Tallinn City Council, there is an entry from 1422. It is the oldest continuously operating pharmacy in Europe.

Since its inception, the Town Hall Pharmacy has sold more than just medications. In the past, you could buy ink, paper, fabrics, tobacco, pipes, playing cards, gunpowder, salt, spices, and candies. The pharmacy was also known for Tallinn Klarett, a wine infused with spices and sweetened with sugar, still sold today. There is a museum on medieval healing methods next to the pharmacy. Workshops are regularly held in the basement.

Tallinn is known for its city wall and towers. The oldest sections date from the 13th century. The fortifications were expanded over 300 years. Originally, the wall was four kilometers long with eight gates and 46 towers. Today, about half of the wall and its towers are preserved.

You can walk along a small section of the wall connecting the Nunne, Sauna, and Kuldjala towers, offering a great view of the Old Town. The towers Kiek in de Kök and Fat Margaret serve as museums. Kiek in de Kök houses a portion of the Tallinn City Museum, while Fat Margaret hosts the Estonian Maritime Museum, providing insight into Estonia's maritime past.

Tallinn's Old Town enchants with its historic charm and many narrow alleyways. In winter, a special romantic ambiance is created when snow covers the Old Town. The most beautiful alley is considered to be Catherine's Passage. The existing residences date mainly from the 15th to the 17th century.

Catherine's Passage is home to the Catherine Guild, a collaboration of open studios and galleries by artists, established in 1995. This narrow alley is home to a variety of craftsmen selling traditional glassware, hats, quilts, ceramics, jewelry, silk, and more.

In the heart of the historic Old Town, next to St. Nicholas Church on Harju Street, an artificial ice rink is set up in Tallinn every year. A bar and café accompany the rink. The ice rink opens in early December and remains open until the end of March.

For those interested in sledding, not far from downtown, the Song Festival Grounds transform into a winter sports mecca in December, offering various activities. Depending on snow conditions, you can sled down the ice track with oversized rubber tubes or get active on two snowtube slopes and a slalom slope.

After the snow comes the sauna in Tallinn. Not only the Finns are known for their love of saunas. There were saunas in Tallinn as far back as the Middle Ages. If you want to warm up, you'll find plenty of options in Tallinn. There are public saunas, day spas, and hotels with water parks and saunas. Many Estonians also celebrate ice swimming, diving into icy waters.

The Tallinn Sauna, also known as the 'Tartu maantee leilisaun', originates from the 19th century and is the oldest operating public sauna in Tallinn. Another popular sauna is the 'Kalamaja Sauna', opened in 1928. The most beautiful sauna areas in hotels are offered by the 'Tallink Spa Hotel', 'Park Inn by Radisson Conference & Spa Hotel Tallinn', 'Nordic Hotel Forum', 'Mövenpick Hotel Tallinn', 'Swissotel Tallinn', and 'Hilton Tallinn Park Hotel'.

Where the waves of the Baltic Sea hit the northern shore of Tallinn at Noblessner Harbor, since 2021, it's all about a unique getaway or work atmosphere. Guests can check into an Iglupark igloo hut or office at the sea-land border.

Saunas were also included in the Iglupark design: there are multiple igloo saunas where you can relax with a view of the sea. Renting an igloo offers compact yet ample space. Each igloo house is suitable for two people, featuring a bed, kitchen, and bathroom. You can even try ice swimming here.

Over 100 years ago, the biggest submarine shipyard in Imperial Russia was built at the Noblessner Harbor. Before World War I, a total of 12 modern submarines were constructed. After regaining independence, the industrial complex was revamped and named after its founders, businessmen Emanuel Nobel and Arthur Lessner.

Today, the district is one of the trendiest in Tallinn. Art galleries, shops, and sea-view restaurants have settled in the former factory halls. In 2020, Noblessner was awarded the best urban space in the Baltics. A must-visit is the Seaplane Harbor Museum, dedicated to Estonia's maritime history. You can board a retired icebreaker or explore the interior of a submarine.

Foodies shouldn't miss visiting a market to try Estonian specialties in Tallinn. When it's freezing outside, a visit to 'Balti Jaama Turg', the Baltic Station Market, is worthwhile. It's considered the most modern market of its kind in all of Estonia. Spanning three floors, around 300 vendors offer their goods here. The focus is on regional food and local crafts.

On the ground floor, you'll find a large fish and meat hall, a vegetable street, and a substantial street food area with about 20 different vendors. The first floor is dedicated to Estonian design and craftsmanship, while the basement includes a supermarket and services like a gym and hair salon.

Marzipan from Tallinn was among the most famed in Northern Europe during the Hanseatic era, which is why it still plays a major role today. The 'Café Maiasmokk' is an institution, located in the lower two floors of a historically protected building in the Old Town. It's the oldest operating café in Estonia. Maiasmokk means 'sweet tooth' or 'gourmet'.

In 1875, the German-Baltic confectioner Georg Johan Stude acquired the building and produced marzipan, among other things, which was delivered to the Tsar's court in Saint Petersburg. Today, the venue hosts a café, restaurant, and a marzipan room (Marzipanstube) where the renowned marzipan is sold.

In addition to marzipan, chocolate plays a significant role in Estonia, even though it has only been produced since the 18th century. Following Switzerland and Germany, Estonia is third in chocolate consumption globally. The country's largest confectioner is Kalev, founded in 1806.

Located in the Rotermann Quarter is the Kalev chocolate shop, notable for the Maiustuste Meistrikoda (Confectionery Workshop), where you can book a chocolate and marzipan workshop. If you're looking to stay at a chocolate-themed hotel, the 'Mövenpick Hotel Tallinn' opened in 2023, offering praline workshops and a daily 'Chocolate Hour'.

If you're done facing the chilly winds, consider visiting the city's numerous museums. The 'Estonian Art Museum', or KuMu, is particularly intriguing. Opening in 2006, it showcases Estonian art from the 18th century to the present. The main building is a modern masterpiece itself and was named European Museum of the Year in 2008.

A visit to the 'Estonian Open Air Museum' is also worthwhile. A 15-minute drive from the city center, the museum focuses on rural architecture and Estonian village life. The museum's 14 farmhouses provide insight into family life from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

Perhaps the most vibrant and creative spot in Tallinn is located in a former industrial area near the city center. The Telliskivi Creative City is Estonia's largest creative hub, featuring numerous studios, design shops, cafés, restaurants, and impressive graffiti on building walls.

A winter visit to the area is particularly charming, as the colorful murals stand out against the white snow. More than 800 different cultural events are hosted year-round at the Creative City. At its heart is the internationally recognized photo museum 'Fotografiska Tallinn'.

Looking for more inspiration? Find tips for all top travel destinations on bettercities.net.